Environmental Education
Nurturing tomorrow's stewards by cultivating a love for nature through environmental education.
We provide environmental education at our Fayette Environmental Education Center and encourage meaningful interactions with nature by providing engaging and interactive environmental education programs and community events.
Environmental Education Program Offerings
Educational Programs for All Age Groups
Teachable Tuesdays
A quick drop in education program on the first Tuesday of the month from 1:00 pm to around 1:45 pm. Teachable Tuesdays is open to learners and families of all ages. Topics can range from science and nature to art and natural history and there may be games, crafts, or other hands-on activities.
$5 per person, FREE for members
Homeschool Days
Programs on the 3rd Tuesday & Thursday of the month providing an in-depth exploration of a science-based topic. Each homeschool day will begin promptly at 10:30 am and include a 30-45 minute presentation and a 30-45 minute hands-on activity, craft, or game to support the topic. Each month’s topic will have a suggested age or grade range, but all ages are welcome. Adult chaperones are required and free of charge. Advanced registration is required.
$8 per participant, $6 per member participant
*Dates may be adjusted for major holidays.
Saturday Explorers
A family-friendly, 1-hour series of programs on the first Saturday of every month that includes a variety of nature topics from snakes to migration to trail safety! Space is limited to 30 attendants and is ideal for ages 8+. Program begins promptly at 10:30 am.
$3 per person, FREE for members
Preschool Storytime
Join us on the last Wednesday of every month at 1:00 pm for Preschool Storytime and craft with our local partners. Advanced registration is encouraged but not required.
FREE for all guests
Wild Walks
Did you know that SCT has 6 managed properties? Join us for our series of Wild Walks led by an SCT team member. These casual walks will offer a short introduction with the history and specifics about the property followed by a 1-2 hour walk depending on the size of the property.
Bring your binoculars, close-toed shoes, water, and bug repellant!
$5 per person, FREE for members
In-School & On-Site Field Trips
We offer various standard correlated, interactive programs covering topics ranging from earth and life sciences to ecology and plant-animal interactions. With 15 program topics to choose from, our goal is to give classroom educators cost-effective options without traveling into the city. Each program is a worthwhile experience that teachers and their students can keep coming back for. Highly qualified educators lead trips with a combined 25 years of experience teaching STEM outdoors, with multiple certifications in state and nationally recognized organizations. We are also well-versed in creating custom programming to fit individual teachers' and classes' unique needs and lessons.
Camp WILD & Outdoor Adventure Camp
Are you ready for a summer of exploration, learning, and environmental stewardship? Join our immersive environmental education-themed Summer Camps for an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature! We offer two different types of summer camp: Camp WILD and Outdoor Adventure Camp.
Eagle Scouts, Cub Scouts, & Girl Scout Programs
Join us for tailored adventures, learning, and character-building experiences in the great outdoors. Our programs immerse scouts in hands-on activities that foster a deep appreciation for the environment and encourage teamwork, leadership, and a sense of responsibility towards nature. We offer Cub Scout programs, Eagle Scout projects, scout conservation hours, and Girl Scout programs through a partnership with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
Why Environmental Education?
Better Grades
Research shows that students from schools who study in an outdoor curriculum tend to score higher in assessments in math, science, and attendance than those who did not receive the outdoor curriculum.
Better Behavior
Research has shown that students’ ability to behave in an educational setting is improved by learning outdoors and that outdoor education leads to better social adjustment and group cohesion, contributing to improved behavior in a group setting.
Better Health
Studies have found outdoor education can help avoid childhood obesity. The phrase “nature-deficit disorder” describes the adverse effects of too much indoor overstimulation, which may lead to anxiety, depression, ADHD, and obesity. This overstimulation is eased by simply being outside.
Lower Stress Levels
Hearing the sounds of nature triggers the brain to release serotonin, which causes feelings of safety and well-being, and repetitive actions release the “pleasure chemical” dopamine.
Improved Communication Skills
Outdoor education, especially project-based expeditions, trains students to communicate effectively. This often involves leading and participating in group discussions, giving and listening to feedback, and resolving conflicts independently.
Better Memory
Learning outdoors can help improve memory by providing students with fresh stimuli instead of learning in a familiar setting. This improves recall by releasing dopamine into the part of the brain where memories are created, helping the brain retain new information.
